Calendar: Chalk It Up, Accordion Fest, Bill Cosby & more

Artpace’s Chalk It Up sidewalk advertisement during last month’s Houston Street Fair.

Brace yourself. Another packed fall weekend is upon us.

Like last year, two of downtown’s more unique events land on the same weekend. On Saturday, dozens of local artists transform Houston Street into an outdoor art gallery during Artpace’s sixth annual Chalk It Up. Local artists come together to create cool sidewalk art. There are tons of activities for the kids. And it’s free.

All weekend, the International Accordion Festival takes over La Villita. The “international” in the title isn’t just for show. Squeezebox artists from all over, from Argentina to Scotland.

Friday

<!–Party on the Tower Plaza Tower of the Americas, 701 Bowie St., HemisFair Park. Summer concert series held every Friday. This week: Fort Sam Houston Army Band 7-8 p.m.; Harry Wurzbach and the 410’s 8-11 p.m. Free.–>

<!–Run A Tab Ringside Sports Bar, 1161 E. Commerce St. Monthly pub run meets at Ringside at 6:30 p.m. every First Friday. After Ringside, the group bar hops downtown (including Pat O’Brien’s and V Bar) and various Southtown bars. Read previous post about the run.–>

Saturday

Chalk It Up Houston Street, downtown, (210) 212-4900. Artpace’s annual outdoor art event features not only working artists, but also a chance for visitors to pick up some sidewalk chalk and leave their mark. Food, music and other activities are also part of the event. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Weekend

International Accordion Festival La Villita, Villita Street at South Alamo. Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of squeezebox music, the ninth annual festival features everything from Tejano and conjunto (Mingo Saldivar, Joel Guzman, Sarah Fox) to the Bulgarian sounds of the Ivan Milev Band to the Arabic microtonal music of Elias Lammam and the Georges Lammam Ensemble. The lineup also includes the Zydepunks, Daniel Diaz (Argentina), Hugh Morrison and Lone Star Stout (Scotland), Guy Klucevsek (jazz/classical) and Jo Miller and Her Burly Roughnecks (honky-tonk). Free. Go to internationalaccordionfestival.org.

“Ruthless! A Musical Comedy” Cameo Theater, 1123 E. Commerce St., (210) 212-5454. Tina knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking and will do anything — including murder — to win the part in her school musical. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1. $15-$29.50.

Friday-Monday

San Antonio Rose Live Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 212-7638. The historic theater is home to a new classic country music revue, which includes songs such as “Hey Good Lookin’ ” and “Is Anybody Going to San Antone” performed by a 10-member band of musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays-Mondays. $20-$49. Visit www.saroselive.com.

Oct. 20-25

“Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles” Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333. If it looks like a Beatle, and sounds like a Beatle … Nope, this show doesn’t have the real Fab Four, but the next best thing. The tribute covers the band’s music from beginning to end. 8 p.m. Oct. 20-23; 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 24; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. $10.75-$50.75 at Ticketmaster outlets. Broadway Across America series continues:

“The Man in Black Show” Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St. Johnny Cash tribute show from Shawn Barker, who is said to resemble Cash in his younger days. Tickets, $15-$37, go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets. Show time is 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 6-8

“Riverdance” Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333. This looks like last call for the Irish step-dancing juggernaut that has been seen by practically everyone everywhere since it debuted in 1996. The fact that the troupe’s three-day stop in the Majestic is billed as “Five Farewell Performances” is a dead giveaway. Shows at 8 p.m. Nov. 6, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 7 and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. $23.75-$68.75 at Ticketmaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com.

Nov. 7

San Antonio Latino Music Festival Main Plaza, downtown, (210) 225-9800. More than 75 musicians, dancers and artists are participating in this event, including Johnny Rodriguez, Flaco Jimenez, Alejandro Escovedo, Girl in a Coma and The Krayolas with the Westside Horns. Noon-midnight. Free.

Nov. 15

Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and 1/2 Marathon The second annual event is expected to draw 30,000 runners and walkers to a course lined with more than 50 bands on 27 stages and cheering squads. Participants will start at Lion’s Field at 7:30 a.m. and finish at the Alamodome, which will hold the post-race concert (performer TBA) later in the evening. Tickets for the concert are free for participants; nonparticipants can purchase at the door or online at www.rnrsa.com.